Tom HAYES and Liam DURKIN
THE Liberals and Nationals have developed a new renewables plan, saying they will put locals first in the transition away from coal.
The Coalition said locals haven’t had a voice amid the renewables push from the state government and multi-national corporations, and are committed to changing that should there be a change of government.
The Liberals and Nationals’ Regional Energy Development Policy will:
Reinstate the right of appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, ensuring that community voices are heard in the planning process;
Institute a default two-kilometre buffer zone around proposed wind towers to minimise the impact on residential properties and local communities;
Ensure major transmission and large-scale wind and solar generation projects face a rigorous and independent planning panel assessment;
Develop principles that ensure overhead lines adhere to strict setback requirements to minimise visual and environmental impact;
Ensure lower emission generators, high voltage transmission lines and large scale battery owners are required to comply with all relevant bushfire overlays, and;
Advocate to the commonwealth that any compensation received by landowners for hosting major transmission lines, or for impacts caused by such projects, is exempt from taxation.
“This policy will be a major breakthrough for regional communities,” Leader of the Opposition and Traralgon-born John Pesutto said.
“Our proposal restores the balance between the roll out of renewable energy and the changes to transmission networks.
“We support the transition away from coal, however this must occur in close consultation with regional communities.
“A Pesutto Liberals and Nationals government will reinstate the third-party appeal rights that Labor has stripped from regional communities because it is unfair and anti-democratic to deny those who are directly affected by these major projects from having a say.”
The state government confirmed it is also working hard for the incoming energy transition, while taking aim at Mr Pesutto’s leadership, which has come under increased fire due to the defamation case against former Liberal MP Moira Deeming.
“John Pesutto is so desperate to keep his job that he’s caved to climate science deniers in the Coalition while he secretly signs onto Peter Dutton’s toxic, risky and expensive nuclear fantasy,” a state government spokesperson said.
“The last time the Liberal Party was in government they effectively banned wind farms and set our transition to cheap, clean renewable energy back years.
“This plan will do the same thing – renewable energy projects will stall, investors will leave the state, power bills will increase, jobs will be lost, and Victoria will face an energy crisis of John Pesutto’s making.
“We’re getting on and building for our future energy needs – quadrupling our renewable energy generation, driving down power bills, creating 59,000 jobs and bringing back the SEC.”
The SEC was enshrined into the Victorian Constitution last month.
Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh said he was determined to give locals a voice.
“Leaving locals without a voice or an avenue of appeal was un-Australian,” he said.
“This announcement means the Liberals and Nationals will be putting locals first in the transition to renewables.
“It will also allow a crackdown on unscrupulous operators, who for their own personal gain, want to get approval for projects then flip them to buyers unknown to the community.
“Not only are we giving communities a voice, but we are also protecting them.”
Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron said residents in the Latrobe Valley, like many across the state, have been left out of the conversation on renewable projects by the state government and multinational corporations.
Martin, O’Brien ensure locals will be first
MR Cameron said a future Nationals and Liberal government would ensure that Victorians are heard in decisions about renewable energy projects that affect their communities.
“The Nationals and Liberals’ Regional Energy Development Policy will reinstate the right of appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which Labor withdrew earlier this year,” Mr Cameron said.
“This will ensure local voices will not be sidelined in the planning process. It will also ensure major transmission and large-scale wind and solar generation projects face a rigorous and independent planning panel assessment (and) revoke planning scheme amendment VC261, instituted by Labor to strip local communities of planning powers over high-voltage transmission lines.”
Mr Cameron highlighted the growing frustration among residents over Labor’s disregard for local concerns.
“Labor’s fast-tracking of renewable projects, without genuine community consultation, is deeply concerning. Our communities must have a say, and we will ensure they do,” he said.
If elected into government, The Nationals and Liberals will also instate a bond system to guarantee that developers ensure all decommissioned projects are fully cleaned up and restored.
“Our policy will also ensure developers cannot profit from flipping projects to new buyers without proper community consultation,” Mr Cameron said.
Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien, whose electorate is arguably the hotspot for proposed renewables, said there was growing agitation among his constituents.
“Gippsland South has been inundated with proposed renewable energy developments creating confusion and angst,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I have been in regular contact with locals who feel steam-rolled and as though their concerns have gone unheard.
“Where the city-centric Allan Labor government has failed to listen and has actively removed their right to appeal against neighbouring energy developments, The Nationals and Liberals in government will guarantee a voice for those affected most by renewable projects.”
